Walking question

[Kelz1283]

Hi have a 9 week old puppy thats had its first vaccinations, i also have a 6 year old dog, i was wondering if i could still take my older dog on walks

[Amazetl]

It’s up to each individual to decide what level of risk they want to take. Personally I took my older dogs for walks still. I wouldn’t go to high risk areas, so no dog parks or grassed areas. 

 

I think the idea is to lower the risk of parvo but you can’t really eliminate it completely. It can stay pretty much everywhere for years without you knowing (including on shoes) unless it’s been cleaned properly with bleach etc. Puppies also need lots of socialisation. I took my dogs as puppies out straight away, carrying them everywhere I could, on their mat in a trolley, lots of car rides and taking minor risks such as puppy class where they do clean the area. 

 

It’s a risk to weigh up, most of the time it’s fine but sadly I have heard too many stories where it hasn’t been fine so it is still a very real risk. It can be helpful to ask the vet in your area if cases are high or not. 

 

What does everyone else do on here? 

[Rebanne]

I took all my pups out and about but in the car. We'd park at the supermarket and watch all the people or up the main street. Cause I showed my dogs right from the start ( 3 months) they met a lot of people and a few dogs. I was very selective of who my pups met, dog wise, not because of possible disease but more the temperament.

[Rascalmyshadow]

I’ve never restricted my older dogs walks when there’s been a puppy in the house, I’ve also always walked our pups from as early as possible, just avoided dog parks and unfamiliar dogs, parvo is highly contagious but they generally need to come into contact with poop or vomit to catch it.

[Adrienne]

Walk the dogs! Pick non- doggy areas (eschew dog parks) and stick to the pavement. I also recommend getting out and about in the car and flipping the boot (if you have a hatch back) and watch the world go by. Your young dog can learn a lot about how you expect them to be in the world before they even hit the ground. If your older dog doesn't have great behaviours leave it at home and take pup on its own. If your older dog has great behaviours take them together and the younger one will take comfort and cues from your older dog.

 

 

[Dogsfevr]

The risk of parvo is just as high without the older dog .
You can bring it home on your shoes & any other item that goes on the ground ,
We start lead training our puppies in litters at 5 weeks out the front  .Risk management is common sense & for some areas of the burbs it is a massive risk .
You can just walk a house or too down with pup & older dog seeing the world is just as important as is lead training .
 

[_PL_]

Parvo and leptospirosis seem to go through peaks. Especially this time of year. Rain, warmth, flies, rats. Best call is your vet to see if it's in your area right now or if they recommend waiting until the 2nd vacc. Popping in the car for a drive is a good idea too. There are raised seats that help them see out the windows. And training them to step into a harness is handy for the future. 

 

I don't walk pups for the same distance as mature dogs who have finished growing.  

[SchnauzerMax]

2 hours ago, Powerlegs said:

Parvo and leptospirosis seem to go through peaks. Especially this time of year. Rain, warmth, flies, rats. Best call is your vet to see if it's in your area right now or if they recommend waiting until the 2nd vacc. Popping in the car for a drive is a good idea too. There are raised seats that help them see out the windows. And training them to step into a harness is handy for the future. 

 

I don't walk pups for the same distance as mature dogs who have finished growing.  

And if you are in the inner suburbs, talk to your vet about lepto vaccination. It is spread by rats and can be more of a problem in the inner suburbs than parvo. 

 

[jemappelle]

I've taken mine out and about from 8 weeks, attended puppy pre-school, and gone to friends' homes with them as pups.  From about a week after the 2nd vaccination I start to walk them for short periods around busy areas, eg ferry wharves, where there is a lot of traffic and so on.  At this stage I also start them on different surfaces eg, jetties, sand, over the rocks at the beach and so on.

[Dogsfevr]

I would not rush out and vaccinate for Lepto & if you did i would seriously understand the vaccination,the pro.cons & the risks that are very well known world wide with the vaccine .
I am not anti vaccine BUT i would not vaccinated for Lepto